We spotted this family of ducks at West Canvey Marshes a while back, all playing happily together. I presume the yellow one isn't a mallard? Any clues to what it is if not? How common is this sort of adoption (if it is one)?
Cheers
Chris
Hi Chris,
What a lovely photo. I'm not an expert by any means, but the collection of mallards on our river contains several white ones, who are paired up with ordinary mallards. They are probably descendants of escaped domestics. This little chap could well be a genuine child of the mum, and just a throw back with more white genes than he should have. It happens with other animals, so why not ducks!!
Cheers, Linda.
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Susan H said:This little chap could well be a genuine child of the mum, and just a throw back with more white genes than he should have. It happens with other animals, so why not ducks!!
I'm no expert either but I think Sparrow could well be right. I can't imagine mum tolerating an interloper joining her brood and he/she seems very much part of the famiy.
TJ
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Tony
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Yes, I agree. We have duckling families on the canal with a mixture of the 'usual' colouring and some yellow ones.
Pipit
An excellent photo and I'm pretty sure that Sparrow is quite right. Ducks will often hybridise and occasionally produce odd coloured ducklings. I have to say this one is quite appealing. I was on West Canvey yesterday and can confirm the family are still together and doing well, but interestingly I could not see the drake present, so can not confirm if he looks pure bred or not.
Alan Shearman